Max Pacioretty, the lifelong Montreal Canadien who was drafted 22nd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Level Draft, was traded today to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights receive a veteran talent to add to their already solid roster that finished as the runner-up in last year’s Stanley Cup Final.

In 626 career games for the Canadiens, the 29-year-old Pacioretty has 226 goals and 448 overall points while manning the top line for one of the perennial NHL teams in the world.

Pacioretty was traded to the Golden Knights for Tomas Tatar, prospect Nick Suzuki, and a 2nd-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Apparently, Pacioretty wanted to be traded from the Canadiens because of his contract situation with the team. According to league sources, he did not want to sign a long-term extension, which prompted his trade request.

It appears the Canadiens are in re-building mode as they finished 14th in the Eastern Conference last season and have lost key pieces in recent years, including all-star defenseman P.K. Subban. Tomas Tatar is 27-years old and can provide some offensive production, but I think the Canadiens were more interested in Suzuki and the 2nd round pick for their future.

With this trade, the Vegas Golden Knights receive a top-six forward who can bring veteran leadership and a solid offensive game that can only improve the skill-group of this second-year expansion team.

It was somewhat surprising to see Pacioretty traded, but with the Canadiens in the state that they are in, I guess it is appropriate for them to trading away their older, higher-costing players.